A cluttered workspace not only makes you look sloppy but also makes finding things really difficult. It feels like driving through a busy town on a Friday evening when most workers have closed from work and are rushing home.
When last did you see the top of your work desk? Can you effortlessly reach out your hand to get that stamp without cursing under your breath or blaming anyone around for displacing your supplies? No? Then it is time to clean up the muddle! A cluttered space slows down your work rate and productivity so get down to brass tacks and make that office space clutter-free.
Need help going about it? See tips below.
Evaluate and purge:
At a surface glance you will feel those old paper bills, card invitations, flyers, and paper documents are important or may still be useful but when you take a closer and long look, you will realize they are just junk stuff filling up your space. Figure out what needs to go into the trash and have them disposed of. Ask yourself when last you made use of them, the answer will help you decide what is worth ditching or not.
Digitalise:
Phones and computers have made life a lot easier for us. Why pile stacks of paper around when you can convert them into soft documents? Soft documents are a lot easier to manage, preserve and are mobile. Create folders in your PC to house all your important documents that can be converted to soft form.
House and label your supplies:
Buy quality and large magazine bins that have enough room to carry magazines and books if you do not have a shelf for them. Adopt a good filing system for your documents, create folders and label them, buy drop-in drawers that can carry your paper clips, pens, staplers, perforators, stamps, etc. to avoid wasting time searching for what you need. Place the things you use regularly where you can easily reach them.
Designate completed and uncompleted tasks:
Have a drawer or section of the desk where pending or in-process tasks are kept and also have a section where completed tasks are filed. Do not jumble everything together on the table so you can stay on top of your most urgent tasks.
Ditch sticky notes for a to-do notebook:
Get a to-do notebook to jot down every information you need or tasks as they come in. Sticking colour notes all over the table or wall makes the space look too busy and can be very distracting. Rather, write every information you need to work on or remember into a go-to notebook and check in on it every 30 minutes to be reminded of the things you need to do.
Bonus Point: Every day at the close of work, ensure everything is back in its proper position so you do not arrive at work the following morning to find a littered table.
Imagine sending in several applications every day that goes by. Checking your inbox like a million times yet not even a single email saying “Congratulations you got the job”
Sure! Your motivation will definitely bottom out with the whole hunting experience.
The time-lapse between when you job-hunt and when you actually land a good job can be very unpredictable and depressing. A couple of rejections here and there may get to you if you don’t stay on your guard.
We understand that looking for a job is not an easy feat. Therefore, asides from posting available job openings, we have put together a few tips to help prevent your search from wearing you out. Read up.
Brace up
You will not get a call back for every application you send out, nor be offered a job for every interview you attend. This can be very depressing and ego-bruising but do not let it kill your morale. It is part of the progress and it sure makes an interesting part of the success story. Getting turned down can be tough but learn how to handle rejection and keep in mind that every ‘no’ gets you closer to a ‘yes’.
Believe in yourself
Believing in your capabilities and skills is the best thing you can do for yourself. The job-hunting process means you’re selling yourself and the skills you offer therefore if you do not believe in what you are selling, a prospective employer will find it difficult to believe in you.
Give yourself time
Getting a job may not happen overnight even if you believe in miracles. Take a realistic approach to your job hunt. Do not be too hard on yourself, take time to craft a CV that will easily stand out from thousands, a cover letter that portrays your full abilities, and know that it takes time to seek out openings that are a right fit or even land a great job though not altogether impossible. Step back from time to time to avoid burnout.
Don’t stay idle
Staying idle and focusing your entire time on the job search may be depressing especially when the expected results are not forthcoming. Engage your time productively learning skills you lack, sharpening the ones you already have, volunteering, exercising regularly, eating good food, and staying fit.
Enjoy the process
Don’t just look out for the outcome. The job hunt process exposes you to a lot of people and experiences, engross yourself in the process and learn all you can to help make you a better fit. Use it as a time for self-development, to reassess yourself, your career goals, and sharpen your focus while keeping an optimistic mindset.
Most people living from paycheck to paycheck constantly encounter money glitches.
Once salary comes in, it goes into several things all at once. Bills and expenses lie in wait while savings are constantly on zero. Sometimes, you even spend the salary before it actually hits the account (i.e. buying things on credit to be paid off once salary comes).
What happens if that paycheck is suddenly delayed or you lose your job?
Of course, your finances will hit rock bottom in the blink of an eye! It is a huge financial disaster when an unexpected loss of income occurs and there isn’t enough money left.
In this article, we will show you 3 easy ways you can start saving today.
Do away with unhealthy habits
Some habits perpetually rub you off a lot of bucks that could have gone into savings and to think that most of these habits are actually unhealthy.
For example smoking, excessive alcohol intake, sweet tooth, driving three blocks to pick up something you could have just walked to get. Bet most people who have cars are guilty of the 4th example. Why not walk instead? You will save money (fuel, wear-and-tear) and get a little exercise as well. Yes, we all have guilty pleasures, but cutting back on them can save you a lot of money. If you cannot get rid of them at least keep them to the minimum.
Reward Yourself
Once you receive your paycheck, shell out something for yourself first before taking care of bills and other expenses.
Not very many people do this, but it actually works. For example – If you earn 200,000 monthly, and you pay yourself 10 percent of this amount every month which is 20,000. At the end of the year, you will have a savings of 240,000. It might look like a waste of time because it is small, but in the end, you will be glad you actually did it.
There is no rule that states that you must pay yourself 10 percent. Feel free to adjust this as you see fit and also according to your income. If you have other sources of income asides from your salary, you can also apply this strategy to it.
Automate Your Savings
Open up a savings account with an automatic transfer. Every bank operates this system in Nigeria. This is more like placing an instruction on your bank account to automatically move a certain amount of money to another account on a certain day/date continuously for a period of time.
Automating your savings enables you to send money to your savings account without having to touch it. You know, out of sight they say is out of mind. You will be less likely to spend it if it is out of your reach.
As soon as you start, never deviate from it. Once you miss one payment, chances are high that you will miss another. This could go on and on and you may end up without any savings at all.
Spend With Purpose
Be conscious of your spending and manage your expenses well. If your lifestyle makes you spend blindly, change it or adjust it to match your budget. Never live above your means.
Create a monthly budget that covers all your necessary expenses and stick to it.
You are probably wondering what life in the job market looks like and confused about how to get started.
The job market is deeply saturated and if you don’t arm yourself with the necessary tools you will remain on the bench longer than you can imagine.
Before you launch out your job search, here are few things you should know:
Getting a job through existing connections only is not definitive
No doubt you have heard the popular notion that you cannot get a good job without connections. While this may seem true, a lot of people are getting employed daily based on their competence. You too can be one of them!
Shake off of this belief, be optimistic and focus on making yourself employable.
The competition is fierce
Your degree is not enough to land the job. There is serious competition out there! Therefore, you must make yourself stand out by acquiring the necessary 21st-century workplace skills.
Learn how to use Microsoft Office Tools such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Corel Draw, etc. Learn how to type with considerable speed and improve your communication skills (verbal and written).
Experience is advantageous
“I just graduated.”
That’s not an excuse! Do not wait until you can get a six-digits paying job. While you are still looking out for better opportunities, start building your experience by taking on small pay jobs, volunteering in organizations or NGOs, working as an intern, etc. Time is essential, so don’t just stay idle waiting for a big job.
Know your industry
What was your course of study? What career path do you want to take? Have these clearly defined and don’t be in a hurry to take just any job. Be specific on the industry you want to work in, learn the relevant skills and requirements needed.
Networking is key
The more people you talk to people about job opportunities, the higher your chances of getting a job. Let your friends, significant others, church members, and relations know you are job hunting. They will have you in mind whenever an opportunity comes up. Send copies of your CV to people you feel could be of help.
Social media can hurt your chances of getting hired
Some employers run a background check on their prospective employees to get a sense of their social life before deciding whether to hire them or not. Keep your social media posts and pictures as decent and professional as possible. Use your accounts as a tool for job search. Set up a professional LinkedIn profile if you do not have one already and ensure potential employers can get a feel of the professional you.
Learning is continuous
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement. Don’t discard your learning materials and never stop learning/getting better at your craft just because you have graduated. Look up courses in your area of interest whether free or paid. Show these courses in your CV as these will tell any potential employer that you are teachable and are willing to work.
Bonus point: Your career path and those of your friends are different. Do not make comparisons.
It’s another Monday morning. While a few people see it as a chance to start afresh or a new week to add more feathers to their crowns and take on new territories at work, others struggle with the blues. ‘Arrrghh! There we go again. Another crazy work week.’ Imagine having to grudgingly drag yourself to the bathroom while cursing under your breath and secretly wishing the weekend could be extended. If you dread Mondays and the mere thought of it sends chills down your spine, this is for you. These 5 powerful Monday morning hacks will give you an entirely different feeling.
Clear your desk before the weekend:
Don’t leave behind a lot of work on a Friday all in a rush to get home, jump into the shower and change into your pajamas while slumming it out on the sofa trying to catch up on the new episode of your favorite soap opera. Whatever work you left behind will stare back into your face the following Monday morning. Endeavor to clear your table before calling it a wrap on Friday.
Wake early; run a cold shower:
Set your alarm to wake you in time enough to put your mind in perspective. Waking up early gives you enough time to put on a work mindset and enjoy the process of preparing for work without rushing. Nobody enjoys being in unnecessary haste. In addition, a cold water shower will keep your nerves more alert than a hot one.
Have a defined mission:
Yes, to-do lists are very helpful and we advocate using them to uplevel your productivity but you know what else gives a powerful motivation? Having a defined target every new day or week as you set to work. Don’t just create a long bland list of things to do. Make sure you have a defined target to accomplish every day or week then break it down into bits of activities which then makes up your to-do list. Having something to look forward to at work creates feelings of excitement that will make you jump out of bed to get to work.
Eat proper breakfast:
Studies have shown that breakfast is the most important meal of the day hence it counts more than others. The good thing about waking early is that you get the chance to fix yourself a healthy meal for breakfast. Don’t start off on an empty stomach so you don’t spend the early hours of the morning struggling to focus while fighting off hunger.
Plan your Mondays on Sundays:
Do not wait until Monday morning before figuring out what to do and how to do it. Self-evaluate your previous week’s activities and decide what areas you need to follow up on. This includes planning what to wear to work to avoid that morning confusion which further makes Mondays a day you passionately dislike. Having a plan in place gives you clarity and a boost of confidence.
